North Carolina released 12 rehabilitated black bear cubs into the wild in fall 2024, all surviving Hurricane Helene and settling safely.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission released 12 rehabilitated black bear cubs into the wild in early fall 2024, continuing a program dating back to 1976. Four came from the coastal region and eight from the mountains, all cared for by licensed facilities like the North Carolina Zoo and Appalachian Wildlife Refuge with minimal human contact. Cubs, typically orphaned between April and June, were released at 7 to 8 months old with higher-than-average weights to improve survival. Five were fitted with tracking collars; all survived Hurricane Helene and settled into den sites without human conflict. Releases occurred on state-managed lands near original locations, leveraging abundant fall food sources. The agency warns against capturing lone cubs, as mothers often return within hours, and promotes BearWise® guidelines for safe coexistence.